MRS. BUSH: Well, here we are once again. This is the eighth time we've
waited for the very first event of the holiday season, and that's when the
big tree is brought. This is the Fraser fir for the Blue Room. It'll be
the great big tree that this year will be decorated with ornaments from all
around the United States, decorated by artists from all around the United
States.

But this tree is from North Carolina. And I want to recognize the
Christmas Tree growers from River Ridge Farms, Crumpler, North Carolina --
Jessie Davis and Russell Estes. They are both growers and they were picked
by the National Christmas Tree Growing Association -- Growers Association,
and they're represented here, as well, with Mark Steelhammer from the
Christmas Tree Growers Association, the National Association.

So this is the first event of the holiday season, and as you all know there
are many more to follow later this week. We'll announce what the theme is
when I give you a tour of this year's decorations. I will have to say --
just a sneak preview -- that this is the perfect theme for this year. So I
think you'll like it when we get to see it later this week.